Wisdom Tooth: Too wise for wisdom

 Wisdom Tooth: Too wise for wisdom

By Dr Tahir

Early recognition of the trouble would save a day of pain in future

There are myths and mysteries, apprehensions and fears of all 

sorts associated with our third 

molar tooth and in due course 

of my oral surgery practice 

I have come to terms with such 

myths. Most of the people co-relating 

eruption of third molar with advent 

of wisdom, while few are religiously 

following that removing it would 

make them blind. However, neither 

the myths are to be believed nor does 

is make us wise.

If one examined the oral cavity, 

one would fi nd different types of 

teeth, ascribed with various func-

tions. These all show a characteristic eruption pattern and any impediment of any sort would 

make eruption pattern erroneous. 

The third molar is one such tooth 

of our oral cavity that has lost its 

eruption path due to many reasons 

pertaining to change of diet, phy-

logeny, growth pattern etc.

And prevalence of this tooth 

to remain within the bone has 

increased over the years. The fre-quency of occurrence is generally 

16.7 to 68 % as documented. 

Thus, it becomes imperative 

that early examination and detec-tion of third molar would prevent 

troubles and complications.

This article will mainly discuss various problems/myths/fears 

associated with third molar that 

render people to delay its removal 

and eventually land them into complications.

Firstly, removal of impacted 

third molar is not like removing 

any other decayed tooth. It’s relatively a minor surgical procedure 

and more so need based surgery, 

so prophylactic handling of third 

molar removal becomes essential 

and it has to be based on rationale, 

proper diagnosis and robust treat-

ment plan. 

Oral and maxillo facial sur-

geons are equipped with proper 

evaluation, and they need to weigh 

risks and complications to the benefi ts over the long run.

AAOMS, American association 

of oral and maxillo facial surgeons 

are of the opinion that about 85% 

of third molar will eventually 

need to be removed, either by late 

adolescence or early adulthood 

in order to prevent complication 

associated with it in future.

Problems of pain and infection, 

cysts and tumours associated with 

un-erupted third molar are well 

documented and nothing new in 

our daily clinical practice as oral 

surgeons. 

Third molars thatdevelop any 

symptoms or show any  pathology 

related to its growth and eruption 

need immediate treatment under 

specialized oral maxillo facial surgeons.

Oral surgeons evaluate such 

patients based on x-ray imaging, 

intra oral examination and take 

measures to remove such symptomatic third molars much painlessly with little or no post operative complications.

However, irony of the fact is 

that due to unawareness among 

the people, myths and fears and 

unethical practices by dental 

quacks, people not only are sceptical about its removal but also 

avoid treatment till it becomes 

grossly complicated.

Unfortunately people of our 

valley have adapted poor sense of 

understanding regarding removal 

of third molars, like 

 removal of this tooth would lead 

them to loss of wisdom 

 make them blind 

 they may lose their sense of 

taste 

 even make them deaf.

Whatever the myths, there is 

no data or any empirical evidence 

associated with any such claim, 

though temporary complications 

and risks with any surgical procedure can never be ruled out.

With advancements in medical 

sciences, removal of third molars 

nowadays is considered minimally 

invasive procedure and is painless, and patients are back to work 

next day following precautions 

and better post operative care.

Surgically removal of third 

molars is conducted only if 

 Insuffi cient space is available in 

our jaw

 Cysts and tumours associated 

with third molar

 Repeated infection and infl am-

mation with the tooth

 It hinders the eruption of other 

tooth

 When one needs orthodontic 

treatment to align the teeth.

Thus early recognition that 

third molar is troublesome at times 

would save a day of pain in future. 

Ignorance might not be bliss here.

Dr Tahir is MDS oral maxilla facial Surgery.